Risk factors for surgical site infection in colorectal surgery: An observational study in a Vietnamese tertiary hospital

Surgical site infection (SSI) represents a major challenge in colorectal surgery, with significantly higher incidence rates than those in other surgical specialties. This study aimed to identify the prevalence and risk factors of SSI following colorectal surgery in a tertiary hospital in Vietnam. We conducted an observational study of 169 patients who underwent surgery. Demographic data, comorbidities, surgical characteristics, and perioperative factors were analyzed to determine their association with SSI. Univariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to identify independent risk factors for SSI. The overall SSI rate was 6.5% (11/169). Univariate analysis identified obesity (P = .01), ASA classification IV to V (P = .004), emergency surgery (P = .02), open surgical approach (P = .03), and absence of antibiotic prophylaxis (P = .048) as significant risk factors for SSI. After multivariable adjustment, only ASA classification IV to V remained an independent predictor of SSI (OR = 8.5, 95% CI = [1.08-67.4], P = .04). Obesity showed a trend toward increased risk, but did not reach statistical significance (OR = 1.2, 95% CI = [0.98-1.4], P = .09). ASA physical status classification is a strong independent predictor of SSI development in patients undergoing colorectal surgery. Patients with ASA IV to V had a significantly higher risk than those with lower ASA classifications. This finding suggests that the severity of the underlying systemic disease may be the predominant determinant of the risk of SSI.